Promoting strong public schools for Providence\’s East Side and beyond

Education Funding and Taxes

While we’re thinking about public education funding, I am reminded of the survey done by the public education network in 2004. I wish our state legislators would read it: It found that:

Education was voters’ top priority, after jobs and economy. Higher than healthcare, terrorism, crime, etc.

Education was the item that should be most protected from budget cuts (it was far more important to voters than any other item)

59% thought that funding for their local schools was NOT adequate. Only 33% thought funding was enough or more than enough.

59% said they were willing to pay more taxes if they were specifically tied to education.

Sin taxes and taxes on higher incomes were most popular. Property tax increases were by far the least popular.

If the budget plan under consideration in the assembly passes, we’re going to lose funding for education. The only way to get it back will be through raising property taxes. It is thus going to do two things that the voters want least to happen: Underfunding public education and/or increasing property taxes.